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Changes in heart rate and heart rate variability during transportation of horses by road and air.
Abstract: To determine the influence of transportation by road and air on heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) in horses. Animals-6 healthy horses. Methods: ECG recordings were obtained from horses before (quarantine with stall rest [Q]; 24 hours) and during a journey that included transportation by road (RT; 4.5 hours), waiting on the ground in an air stall (W; 5.5 hours), and transportation by air (AT; 11 hours); HR was determined, and HRV indices of autonomic nervous activity (low-frequency [LF; 0.01 to 0.07 Hz] and high-frequency [HF; 0.07 to 0.6 Hz] power) were calculated. Results: Mean ± SD HRs during Q, RT, W, and AT were 38.9 ± 1.5 beats/min, 41.7 ± 5.6 beats/min, 41.5 ± 4.3 beats/min, and 48.8 ± 5.6 beats/min, respectively; HR during AT was significantly higher than HR during Q. The LF power was significantly higher during Q (3,454 ± 1,087 milliseconds(2)) and AT (3,101 ± 567 milliseconds(2)) than it was during RT (1,824 ± 432 milliseconds(2)) and W (2,072 ± 616 milliseconds(2)). During Q, RT, W, and AT, neither HF powers (range, 509 to 927 milliseconds(2)) nor LF:HF ratios (range, 4.1 to 6.2) differed significantly. The HR during RT was highly correlated with LF power (R(2) = 0.979), and HR during AT was moderately correlated with the LF:HF ratio (R(2) = 0.477). Conclusions: In horses, HR and HRV indices during RT and AT differed, suggesting that exposure to different stressors results in different autonomic nervous influences on HR.
Publication Date: 2012-03-29 PubMed ID: 22452498DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.73.4.515Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research studied the impact of different forms of transportation – road and air – on horses’ heart rates and heart rate variability. The study found that air travel significantly increased the animals’ heart rates, and that the type of transportation influences their autonomic nervous system differently, suggesting different types of stress encountered during different modes of transport.
Explanation of the Research Study
- This study was conducted to investigate the impact of different types of transportation on the heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) of horses. The transportation methods under examination were road (RT) and air (AT).
- The study involved six healthy horses. The ECG recordings of the horses were obtained in various conditions including before, during, and after transportation. The periods included a quarantine time with stable rest (Q; 24 hours), road transportation (RT; 4.5 hours), waiting duration on the ground in an air stall (W; 5.5 hours), and air transportation (AT; 11 hours).
- From the recordings, the heart rate was measured, and HRV indices were calculated to determine the autonomic nervous activity. The low-frequency power (LF; 0.01 to 0.07 Hz) and high-frequency power (HF; 0.07 to 0.6 Hz) were the specific HRV indices of interest.
Results of the Study
- Results showed an increase in mean heart rate during air transportation compared to times of quarantine. The hearts rates were 38.9 ± 1.5 beats/min during quarantine, 41.7 ± 5.6 beats/min during road transportation, 41.5 ± 4.3 beats/min during waiting, and 48.8 ± 5.6 beats/min during air transportation.
- It was also observed that the LF power was significantly higher during quarantine and air transport in contrast to road transport and waiting periods. However, there were no significant changes in HF power or the ratio between LF and HF during these periods.
- There was a strong correlation between heart rate during road transportation and LF power, suggesting that road transportation had a significant impact on the autonomic nervous system of horses. The correlation between heart rate and the LF:HF ratio during air transportation was moderate.
Conclusions
- The findings indicate that air and road transportation expose horses to different types of stressors. These transportation methods affect the autonomic nervous system differently, leading to changes in heart rate and heart rate variability.
- During air transportation, heart rate increased significantly, indicating an increase in stressors as compared to the baseline (quarantine). On the other hand, road transportation significantly impacted the LF power, suggesting a different influence on the autonomic nervous system.
Cite This Article
APA
Ohmura H, Hobo S, Hiraga A, Jones JH.
(2012).
Changes in heart rate and heart rate variability during transportation of horses by road and air.
Am J Vet Res, 73(4), 515-521.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.73.4.515 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 321-4 Tokami-cho, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Aircraft
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Atrioventricular Block / veterinary
- Autonomic Nervous System / physiology
- Cross-Over Studies
- Electrocardiography / veterinary
- Female
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Motor Vehicles
- Stress, Physiological
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Santosuosso E, Léguillette R, Shoemaker S, Baumwart R, Temple S, Hemmerling K, Kell T, Bayly W. A consort-guided randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial on the effects of 6 weeks training on heart rate variability in thoroughbred horses. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17253.
- Sanigavatee K, Poochipakorn C, Huangsaksri O, Wonghanchao T, Yalong M, Poungpuk K, Thanaudom K, Chanda M. Hematological and physiological responses in polo ponies with different field-play positions during low-goal polo matches. PLoS One 2024;19(5):e0303092.
- Felici M, Cogger N, Nanni Costa L, Riley CB, Padalino B. Analysis of current methods and Welfare concerns in the transport of 118 horses by commercial air cargo companies. BMC Vet Res 2024 Apr 26;20(1):158.
- Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Earley B, Edwards S, Faucitano L, Marti S, Miranda de La Lama GC, Costa LN, Thomsen PT, Ashe S, Mur L, Van der Stede Y, Herskin M. Welfare of equidae during transport. EFSA J 2022 Sep;20(9):e07444.
- Ohmura H, Hiraga A. Effect of restraint inside the transport vehicle on heart rate and heart rate variability in Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 2022 Apr;33(1):13-17.
- Padalino B, Davis GL, Raidal SL. Effects of transportation on gastric pH and gastric ulceration in mares. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):922-932.
- Smith FL, Watson JL, Spier SJ, Kilcoyne I, Mapes S, Sonder C, Pusterla N. Frequency of shedding of respiratory pathogens in horses recently imported to the United States. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jul;32(4):1436-1441.
- Ohmura H, Jones JH. Changes in heart rate and heart rate variability as a function of age in Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 2017;28(3):99-103.
- Vézina-Audette R, Herry C, Burns P, Frasch M, Chave E, Theoret C. Heart rate variability in relation to stress in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). Can Vet J 2016 Mar;57(3):289-92.
- Villas-Boas JD, Dias DP, Trigo PI, Almeida NA, de Almeida FQ, de Medeiros MA. Acupuncture Affects Autonomic and Endocrine but Not Behavioural Responses Induced by Startle in Horses. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2015;2015:219579.
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